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Dec. 22,1925- 1,566, 8

, M. S. RUNSVOLD AUTOMATI C ELECTRI C FLATIRON Filed Aug. 1}, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June/Ht 01,

MAE 7'//\/ 6 RUNSVOLD.

Dec. 22,1925- 1,566,618

I M. S. RUNSVOLD AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC FLATIRON Filed Aug, 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s EH l j MART/N 5. Paws/01.0.

attozueq Patented Dec. 1925.

I UNITEDhSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN S. RUNSVOLD, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC FLATIBON.

Application filed August 11, 1924. Serial No. 731,814.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN S. RUNsvom), a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego, in the county of 'San Diego and 5 State ofCalifornia, have invented a certain flat iron in which the contact of the switch members of theswitch mechanism or contact means connecting the heating elements of the iron with a source ofelectrical energy is automatically and quickly broken when the iron is heated to a certain predetermined high temperature; second, to provide a nov elly constructed thermostatic switch mecha nism for heating apparatus whereby the electric connection between the heating elements of the heating apparatus and the source of electrical energy is suddenly broken; third, to provide a thermostatic switch mechanism of this class which consists primarily of a pair of mutually shiftable resilient members adapted to be suddenly shifted in one direction for quickly breaking an electrical contact when the heat in the heatingapparatus, with which the switch mechanism is used, is heated to a certain predetermined high temperature; fourth, to provide a switch mechanism of this class which is provided with a pair of shiftable thermostat members. adapted to be distorted by heat and suddenly shifted, when the thermostat members are heated to a certain temperature; fifth, to provide a novel means for adjusting the switch mechanism so that the same will be actuated at substantially the specific temperature desired; sixth, to provide a novelly constructed thermostatic switch mechanism; seventh, to provide a novelly constructed casing for electric flat irons, and eighth, to provide an simple and economical of construction proportionate to its functions, durable, efficient,

easy to adjust and operate, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain-novel features of construc-' tion, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter deautomatic electric flat iron which is very' ventional flat irons. The top plate 6, posiscribed in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my electric flat iron, with the casing and other members partly broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is aside elevational view thereof, with the casing, base plate and other members partly broken awa' and in section, to facilitate the illus tration; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the removable thermostatic switch unit adapted to be positioned Within the casing of the iron; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse'sectional elevational view of my flat iron,.' with the section taken through 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'rear elevational view of my flat iron; Fi 6is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of. the theremostatic switch unit thereof, with the section taken through 6-6 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 7is a sectional 'elevational view thereof, with the section taken through 77 of Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the sev: eral views of the drawings.

The base plate 1, heating unit 2, main casing 3, handle supporting member 4, handle 5, top plate 6, stud 7, screw 8, thermo- H static switch mechanism supporting member 9, screw 10, nuts 11, pivotal thermostat member support 12, thermostat member 13, rivet 14, adjustable thermostat member 15, rivets 16, adjustable thermostat member support 17, adjusting cam member 18,-adjusting rod 19, adjusting button 20, terminal posts 21, terminal post protecting member 22,. con-.

ductor bar 23, screw 24, conductor 25, bolt switch member 28, conductor 29, screw 30, and the terminal post protecting member clip 31, constitutetheprincipal parts and portions of my automatic flat iron structure.

The base plate 1, the heating unit 2 consisting of the heating elements 2 and the insulating material 2", the main casing 3, the handle supporting member 4, and the handle 5 are similar in construction to those of contioned within the main casing 3, for securing the heating unit 2 in position to the base plate 1 is provided at the topside of its rear portion with a hollowed-out portion 6 in which is positioned the main portion of the thermostatic switch mechanism. The plate 6 is secured to the plate 1 by means of a stud 7 at its forward portion and by means of a screw 8 at its rear portion.

The thermostatic switch mechanism is assembled as a complete unit, on the supporting member 9, the bottom side of the complete unit being shown in Fig. 3. The forward end of the supporting member 9 is secured between the head'7 of the stud 7 and a boss 6" at the upper side of the plate 6. The supporting member 9 is positioned and secured at its rear end relatively to the plate 6 by means of a pair of laterally extending arms 9 at the lower portion of the rear end of the member 9, which arms extend into notches 6 at the lower portion of the rear end of the plate 6, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4. The arms 9 are preferably provided intermediate their ends with offset portions forming. shoulders which are positioned against the rear ends of the side walls forming the hollowed-out portion 6 of the plate 6, to position the supporting member 9 laterally relatively to said plate. The upper portion of this member 9 consists of a plate 9 which covers substantially the whole of the hollowed-out portion of the plate 6 and is provided at its sides with laterally extending, downwardly curved lugs 9 which extend over the upper portions of the sides of the plate 6 for vertically positioning the member 9 relatively to said plate.

Intermediate the ends of the plate 9 of.

the member 9 is provided a screw 10, which extends upwardly therefrom and is locked in position by means of a nut 10*. The handle supporting member 4 is secured relatively tothe main casing 3 b means of nuts 11 screwed over the ends the stud 7 and the screw extending aFove the easing3.

The supporting member 9 is provided at 1 its rear end and underneath the plate 9 with a pair of spaced apart, forwardly extending supporting portions 9*, preferably formed as an integral .part with the member 9. At the forward ends of the portions 9", of the member 9 is pivotally mounted a pivotal support 12, which extends backwardly therefrom. The pivotal connection between said members V-shaped notched .portions 9 at the forward ends of the portions 9", and knife-edge portions 12 extending laterally from the pivotal support 12 and positioned within the V-shaped notched portions, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings. The outer or normally forward portions of the notched portions 9 serve as stops to limit the pivotal movement or high and low positions of the member 12. To the lower side of the rearend of the pivotal support consists of substantially- 12- is secured the one end of a curved resilient thermostat member 13, preferably by means of a lug extendin upwardly into a notched portion at the en of the member 12 and by means of a rivet 14. The forward end of the thermostat member '13 is provided with a knife edge 13, which extends into a substantially V-shaped, transversely slotted portion 15" at the rear end of the adjustable thermostat member 15 forming a pivotal connection between said members, as shown best'in Figs. 3 and 6. The forward end of the thermostat member 15 is secured, by means of rivets 16, to a transversely extending supporting portion 17 of the adjustable support 17, which is reciprocally mounted in a downwardly bent guide portion 9 of the supporting'member 9, the adjustable support 17 being secured relatively to the ortion 9- by means of a lug 17 exten ing 35 through the longitudinal slot of the guide portion 9 and bent upwardly therefrom, as

shown best in Fig. 7. At the rear end of the 7 adjustable support 17 is provided a laterally bent portion 17, which is provided at the lower portion of its forward side with a small lug 17 which is engageable by an adjusting cam member 18 secured at the inner end of the adjusting rod 19. This adjusting rod is rotatably mounted at, its. inner or forward end in the portion 17 of the adjustable support 17 and at its rear or outer end in the rear wall portion of the support- 1 ing member 9. The rear end of the adjusting rod 19 is provided. with a button 20' for 1 rotating the cam member 18. The rotation of the cam member 18 will increase or decrease the compression on the adjustable thermostat member 15 depending upon the direction iii which the button 20 is rotated.

At the rear end of the thermostatic switch mechanlsm supporting member 9 are secured a palr of spaced apart terminal posts 21, whlch are insulated from the support 9 and extend upwardly therefrom through openmgs 3 at the upper side of the rear end of the main casing3into the terminal post protecting member 22. ,The one termlnal post 21 is directly connected by means of a conducting bar 23 and a screw 24, with the one end of the electric heating element 2*. To the other terminal post 21 is secured a semirigid conductor 29, which is bent downwardly and forwardly and provided at its forward end with a knife edge against which is positioned the notched or V-shaped portion 28 at the rear end of the pivotal switch member 28. This switch member 28 is secured intermediate its ends to and'insulated from one of the'laterally extending 'lugs 12 of the pivotal support 1.2, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3, the member 28 being secured to said lug 12 by means of a. reduced portion at the end of said lug extending through the member 28 and riveted over at its outer insure a good contact therewith.

It will be here noted that the axis of the,

pivotal connection of the pivotal switch member 28 with the semi-rigid conductor 29 is positioned in alinement with the axis of the pivotal connection between the forward- 1y extending supporting portions '9 of the supporting member 9 and the pivotal support 12 for the thermostat member 13, the

conductor 29 being sufliciently resilient to provide a continuous force against the V-l shaped portion of the switch member 28 to The switch member 28 is also preferably provided with an extended lug 28", which extends through a slotted portion of the conductor 29 to further insure a good contact between the members 28 and 29. It will be noted that the conductor 25 extends forwardly of one of the laterally extendinglugs 9 oi: the supporting member 9 so thatthe knife sw tch members 27 may be readily removed with out removing the member 9.

It will be seen from the above that when the iron is heated, the thermostat members '13 and 15, being made of pairs ofmetal plates of different coefiicients of expansion, will be distorted downwardly, forcing the pivotal'connection between said thermostat members towards the opposite side of the center or dead line connecting the front end of the thermostat member 15 with the pivotal mounting of the thermostat member 13, thus disengaging the pivotal switch mem- .ber 28 from the switch members 27 and breaking the electric circuit of the heating unit of the iron with the source. The action of the thermostat members-13 and-15 rela-' 'tively to each other and their supports 1s substantially the same in principle as the action of an over-center spring. As the iron cools, by reason of the electric current being shut off, the thermostat members'13 and 15' automatically assume their original I shape or position, forcing the pivotal connection between said members to "the opposite side of the deadline connecting the supporting means of the thermostat mem- .bers.- It will be here noted that as i the pivotal connection between the thermostat members passes beyond the dead line, the movement is rapid, thus suddenly connecting and breakin switch members 2 and 28.

It will also be seenfrom the-above that as the button 20 is turned clockwise, the adthe contact between the justable support 17 is shifted backwardly,

increasin the force against or'the compresv S1011 of t e thermostat member 15, which tends to hold thepivotal connection between the thermostat members to one side or the tion 22 which is directed towardthc button 20. Thebutton 20 is provided with the inscriptions: .H, M and L signify ing respectively high, medium and low heat, and-indicating in which direction the button 15 to be turned relatively-to the indicating portion 22 to obtain the desired'heat.

' Said member 22 is provided at its lower end with backwardly extending loop "portions 22 upon which the iron is adapted to rest when hot andnot using the same, which loop portions are provided at'their lower inner ends with lugs 22 which extend into corresponding slots at the lower portion of the rear side of the main casing 3 and engage the inner wall thereof The upper end of the member 2 is secured in position against the main casing 3 by means 'of a slip 31 secured to the back side of the rear portion of the handle supporting member 4,

which clip extends over the upper edge of the front portion of the member 22, as

shown best in Figs. 2 and 5. '.Thus, it will 100 v be seen that by unscrewing the nuts 11 substantially the wholeputer portion of the iron may be disassembled. 4

It is obvious from this construction, as

illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the foregoing specification, that there 'is provided an automatic electric fiat iron what I c aim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. 'In a heating apparatus, a support and support and adapted to be suddenly shifted whenshifted beyond adea d'line relatively to their means of support.

pair of heat controlled, mutually shiftable members supported at their one ends on said support-and adapted to be suddenly shi'fted' v a pair of heatcontrolled,' mutually shiftable members supported at theirone ends on said 2. In a heatingapparatus, a support, a

when shifted beyond a dead line relatively to .their means of support, and a switch member connected to and shiftable with one of said shiftable members.

3. In a heating apparatus,a casing, a support positioned in said casing, and a pair of heat controlled, pivotally connected members supported by said support, the pivotal connection therebetween being adapted to be suddenly shifted to the opposite sides of the line connecting theirmeans of support.

4. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a support positioned in said casing, a pairof heat controlled, pivotally connected members S111 ported by said support, the pivotal connection therebetween being adapted to he suddenly shifted to the opposite sides or" the line connecting their means of support, and a switch member connected to and shiftable with one of said pivotally connected members adapted to break and complete an electric circuit of said heating apparatus.

5. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a support positioned in said casing, a pair of heat controlled, pivotally connected members supported b said support, the pivotal connectlon there etween being adapted to be suddenly shifted to' the opposite sides of the line connecting their means of support, a switch member connected to and shiftable with one of said pivotally connected members adapted to 'br eak and complete an electric circuit of said heating apparatus, and a means for adjusting the compression between said pivotally connected members.

6. In a heating apparatus, a casing, an electric heating element positioned therein, a support positioned in said casing, a pair of heat controlled, pivotally connected members supported by said support, the pivotal connection therebetween being adapted to be suddenly shifted to the opposite sides of the line connecting their means of support, terminal posts mounted on said support, stationary switch 'means connected with the heating element of said heating apparatus, and a movable switch member connected with one of said terminal members and adapted to be connected with said stationary switch means with the shifting of saidpivotal members.

' 7 Q In a heating apparatus, a casing, a pair of heat controlled, pivotally connected, mutually shiftable switch actuating members positioned within said casing, their pivotal connection, being adapted to be suddenly ihifted when said members are subjected to eat. a 8. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a pair of heat controlled, ivotally connected, mutually shiftable switch actuating members positioned within said casing, their pivotal connection being adapted to he suddenly shifted when said members are subjected to heat, and a means for adjusting the compression of one of said members relatively to the other.

9. In a heating apparatus, a casing, and

casing and mutually shiftable relatively to each other, the pivotal connection of said thermostat members being adapted to be shifted from one side ota line connecting their supporting means to the other, and a movable switch member connected with one of said thermostat members.

11. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a pair of pivotally connected, heat distortable thermostat members positioned within said 'casing and mutually shiftable relatively to each other, the pivotal connection of said thermostat members being adapted to be shifted from one side of a line connecting their supporting means to the other, a movable switch member connected with one of said thermostat members, and means for adjusting the compression of said thermostat members relat-ivelyto each other.

12. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a heat distortable thermostat member pivotally mounted withinsaid casing, and another heat distortable thermostat member supported at one end within said casing and pivotally connected at its opposite end with the one end of said first mentioned thermostat member.

13. In a heating apparatus, a casingya heat distortable thermostat member pivotally mounted within said casing, and another heat distortable thermostat member supported at one 'end within said casing and pivotally connected at its opposite end with the one end of said first mentioned thermostat member, the pivotal connection of said thermostat members being normally positioned atone side of a line connecting the supporting portions of said thermostat members and-adapted to be suddenly shifted to the other side of said line when subjected to heat.

14. In a heating apparatus, a casing, a heat distortable thermostat member pivotally mounted within said casing, another heat distortable thermostat member supported at one end within said casing and pivotally connected at its opposite end with the" one end of said first mentioned thermostat member, the ivotal connection of said thermostat memlibrs being normally positioned at one side' of a line connecting the supportin portions of said thermostat members and a apted to he suddenly shifted to. the other side of said line when subjected to heat, a stationary switch member positioned within said casing, and a movable switch shiftable, heat distortable thermostat memmember connected with said first mentioned bers supported by said supporting means 1 thermostat-member and shiftable therewith and adapted to be suddenly shifted when adapted to engage said first mentioned heated beyond a predetermined temperature.

5 switch member when said first mentioned In testimony whereof, I havehereunto set thermostat member is in a normal position. my hand at San Diego, California, this 4th .15. In a heating apparatus, a supporting day of August, 1924..

means, and a .pair of tc'onnected, mutually -MARTIN S. RUNSVOLD. 

